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I want to share this profound experience with all of you, because I think this is something that desperately needs to be heard, not just here in the U.S. but all around the world.

As you know I am a holistic practitioner with a focus on healing with nutrition and herbs. I am also a yoga teacher, and work hard each day to be aware and connected with my body and what it is telling me. I eat a whole foods, plant-based diet, and take my daily herbs for organ and gland support.

On December 5, 2017 an unexpected event triggered some stress and anxiety for me.

Keep in mind that I have been stressed my entire life, and this was not a new phenomenon. I am very easily triggered, my fight-or-flight response activated in an instant, and sometimes without me even realizing it.

Up until this point (December 5th) I had been mildly stressed for about a month or so, with all kinds of new exciting things coming into my world. As wonderful as they were, my stress response is sensitive, and my body responded in excitement as well as fear. (You know that feeling when you get SUPER stoked about something, but it’s new so it’s also kind of scary? THAT’S the feeling I’m talking about.)

I knew I was stressed, but I pressed on, each day moving through my schedule of things planned, new projects I’m tackling moving into 2018, and meeting amazing new people who can help me in my ventures.

I could feel the anxiety, and I could feel it in my belly. I described it to a friend as my stomach feeling like it has its own heartbeat, like it was going to beat so hard it would explode out of my abdomen. I felt a lump in my throat, a lump I can only describe as feeling like a marble, attached to a cord running all the way down my esophagus and into my stomach. And there in my stomach was a rock, the very same rock with its own heartbeat ready to burst out of my belly at any given moment.

On December 12, 2017 I ate a salad with tomatoes on top. It was DELICIOUS. In fact, I even posted about it on Facebook it was so good. About an hour later I found myself in extreme stomach upset, and all I could do for the rest of the night was sleep. I ate nothing between 1pm that day and the next morning.

For about two weeks after that, I knew something was going on digestively, but I chalked it up to the tomatoes which have a history of irritating my stomach anyway. (Really don’t know why I ate them in the first place with that prior awareness!)

Finally it got to the point where eating caused pain and discomfort with every single bite, and even every sip of water. I had to skip Christmas dinner. All I was able to eat on Christmas day was a smoothie.

Some of you may also be aware that I have studied an assessment method called Iridology, which is an assessment of the iris (colored portion) of the eye as it relates to tissue states and genetic strengths and weaknesses.

I took some photos of my eyes, and sent them off to my mentor, an amazing holistic health practitioner. She and I both looked at my eyes and saw inflammation in certain areas and organs. Why?

And then it dawned on me. Stress.

Even though I had been eating well, practicing my yoga, and generally taking care of my body, stress is always I factor for me and always has been.

I recently watched a documentary called “Heal,” which can be streamed on Amazon TV. It is all about the mind, emotions and stress, and their connection with the physical body.

From watching this as well as from my own recent experience, I realized and am confident that most of my physical problems from my past and into the present are directly related to my stress and anxiety levels.

No matter how well we are eating, or how physically fit we are, or how many great supplements we are taking, nothing can erase the damage stress can create in the human body.

I am still currently on the mend. And, although I have not made it in to see my Naturopath yet (don’t worry, I have an appointment…they are busy this holiday season!), I am treating this digestive pain and discomfort as if it were a stomach or intestinal ulcer. AND IT’S HELPING.

I don’t have a scope, or an ultrasound machine to actually see what’s going on in there so I can’t say for sure. But if I’m trusting my intuition, my stress triggered an ulcer (or some other type of inflammation/irritation), and it takes weeks, sometimes months to heal from something like that.

So I’m taking it slow. I’m doing everything I can to eliminate or minimize stress in my world.

I’m having conversations with God which I’ve never had before in my life. I’m asking questions like, “What’s next?” and “What do I need to know right now?” and “Is there something I need to let go of?”

I’m continuing my practice of gentle yoga, and I’m going for walks on sunny days, just talking to God, and praying and praying.

I cried for an hour yesterday. Sobbed, in fact. It was a great energy release which I truly needed. My stomach pain almost instantly went away. It has returned today, very mildly. But I will continue moving forward and talking to God and asking and praying and being kind to myself.

My current diet consists of warm bananas with cinnamon and ginger, warm homemade apple sauce, papaya, and soup. Last night I was able to eat a mashed sweet potato without discomfort…score!

I am losing unhealthy weight again, as I did three years ago with the stress of relocating. The stress response has unimaginable impact on the human body.

Through all this I am learning to stay humble, and to remember that anyone can get sick at any time, for any reason.

I am learning that I need to do life differently than I have been, maybe ever. No more pushing harder and harder. No more pressing forward when my body is saying no.

Healthy eating is a HUGE part of the picture. But it’s not all of it. If our mental and emotional health are not addressed, the physical body will communicate with us in countless ways.

Stress and anxiety are extremely detrimental to our health. When we are in fight-or-flight mode, our digestion, assimilation, elimination and immune system are turned way down, so we can use 100% of our energy to “run from the tiger” so-to-speak.

Do you have stress and anxiety? Is it intense? Is it long-term? Is it affecting your daily life, your work, your home? Is it affecting your concentration and focus? Is it making you sick to your stomach?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, I hope you will consider taking a good look at that stress to see where it might be coming from, and how you can let it go.

We live in a crazy world, where we are bombarded by anger, fear, negativity, chemicals, heavy metals and other toxins seen and unseen. It is more important now than ever to take care of ourselves, to listen to the ONE body we have carrying us around on this planet and do for ourselves what needs to be done to heal.

That includes food, physical and mental exercise, and daily calming practices. Whatever is eating at you, it’s not worth the stress. Let it go. Breathe. Just how kind can you be to yourself this blessed new year? I am with you and support you all the way. Let’s do this together <3

Being from the Midwest where there is often two feet of snow on the ground from November to May, I was certain the Seattle rain wouldn’t bother me. And as it turns out, I was right.

For one, it doesn’t rain in Seattle as much as the movies and TV shows depict. Contrary to popular belief, we actually do get sun. Our summers are unbeatable in weather (sshhh…please don’t tell your friends…this is Washington’s best kept secret), so much so that you can find me on the beach or at a park most weekends, and my tan is ON. POINT.

Secondly, rain is much easier to deal with than constant snow. I absolutely do not miss my numb fingers and toes, my frozen nose hairs and shoveling my car out of the driveway in the middle of a blizzard. Not to mention my white knuckles on the steering all the way to work each day. I’m SO all set on that.

That being said, of course I’ve had my days. The clouds and rain in the winter can get slightly oppressive, like you’re trapped in a white bubble for many days, even weeks in a row.

Do I prefer the sun? Absolutely, every time.

But there’s something about rain water dripping from the colorful fall leaves, and that “just-right” combination of mist and fog that linger just below the evergreen tree line that give this town its character.

Sometimes, on a “clear-ish” day, you can see the snow-capped mountains standing tall and the puffy clouds forming the perfect hover effect just above their peaks. To me, that’s God.

Honestly though, I didn’t always see it that way.

When we first moved here I was completely out of body, my anxiety was at its highest point maybe ever, and I had bouts of depression where I felt I just couldn’t get out of bed in the morning.

And the clouds and rain didn’t help. It was often dark and gloomy outside, which only added to my melancholia.

I have spent the past three years dedicated to healing myself from the inside out.

Through daily yoga I have released old emotional baggage that was no longer serving my highest good. Using whole foods and herbs I have released endless amounts of toxicity from my body. Journaling, Reiki and countless other tools have been a pivotal part of my journey as well. With still plenty more work to do, I feel I have made huge strides in my health and well-being.

I think the rain is beautiful.

But I couldn’t see the beauty in what otherwise might seem like doom and gloom before I found the beauty within myself.

When we detoxify our body from all the old garbage (i.e. chemicals, heavy metals, viruses and bacteria, parasites, old emotional baggage, negative thoughts, etc.), we can finally see the world through a clearer lens.

Everything just becomes brighter and more joyful, even the stuff that used to seem dull and heavy. What I originally carried to Seattle is no longer present within me.

I once perceived the rain and clouds to be dark and gloomy, just as I was inside.

As I was driving down the street the other day, I gazed out my window to admire the beautiful scenery. The bright mossy green tree trunks, the remnants of the autumn leaves scattered about, the woman with the bright red umbrella walking her pup, and those puffy clouds floating over the mountain tops.

As I looked up at the sky that evening, the half-moon illuminating the clouds with subtle pink hues, I could only think of how grateful I was to be here. That the beauty of the Pacific Northwest is second to none.

And that is when I realized why life felt so good, why I could truly see the beauty in everything, rain or shine.

The power was within me the whole time.

Although I’ll admit my natural tendency to favor rain due to my years in snowy, below freezing temps, I didn’t truly appreciate it until now. And it was because I just couldn’t.

We must not underestimate the power of proper nutrition and self-care. It may seem subtle, and it may seem like nothing is happening…at first.

Then one day, you’ll wake up and realize wow. This is legit.

Healing can happen. But you have to want it. You have to work, and dedicate yourself to you.

There is no magic pill to healing, and some days it’s really hard. But I promise you, it’s worth it. My wish for you is that you, too, wake up one day and appreciate the rain.

Some might wonder why in the world I’d choose to do this on my birthday, considering I have my own business and I can make my own hours and schedule.

But to me, this is not work. I LOVE to write, but not only do I love to write, I enjoy sharing my thoughts and feelings with the world.

And I don’t like to share what I call “fluff” either. By fluff I mean talk of the weather, or how much I like your outfit.

I like talking about the REAL stuff, the stuff no one likes to talk about because it’s just too hard to face, or because it’s silly, or because “that’s not real life.” (And, by the way, what defines “real life” anyway? Isn’t it just what you are personally experiencing or feeling?)

I’m the one who shakes it up at Thanksgiving dinner. You want to talk about the mashed potatoes, and I want to talk about how you’re feeling after your recent diagnosis of depression. If you want a real conversation, come and find me…don’t worry, we will get down and dirty REALLY quickly (in conversation that is).

So, for my birthday I wanted to talk about some real stuff. None of this fluffy BS we use to avoid our real feelings, painting a picture of rainbows and unicorns.

Three years ago today (to the DAY) I was celebrating with all my friends and family at a local bar. It was a celebration and “farewell to Detroit” party. This was the last time we would see our loved ones before moving to Seattle. Three years ago today.

I didn’t know what I was going to do when I got to my new home. All I knew was, it was the right decision. It was just what I had to do in my life. (And now, three years later, I know the reason why.)

I was unsure about everything. Was it going to work out? Would I have any friends? Would I make any money? Would I even like it there? What was my apartment going to look like? What is this Mill Creek place anyway? Would everyone in Detroit forget me? When would I come back to visit, and how would it feel once I did? What. Am. I. Getting. Myself. Into.?

So many unanswered questions, and yet I followed my heart with faith being the only thing to hold onto.

My past two birthdays were a tad rough. They brought up old sweet memories, and made me think about going back “home” to the Motor City.

This time of year has been nostalgic for me at the very least. For the past two birthdays old emotions have resurfaced and forced me to take a deeper look at what I have needed to release. For so long I was so attached to my home, that feeling of comfort and security that can only be felt through memories of childhood experiences.

There has been a lot of shedding of old patterns and emotions that were no longer serving my highest good. And that may sound glamorous and cliché, but I assure you this has not been glamorous or cliché at all.

I have spent full days weeping, wondering what I did to myself. I have spent weeks and even months in a state of depression and/or high anxiety, wondering when I’d ever feel better.

I felt so out of control of my own life, some days it was even scary.

I lost a lot of weight from the stress (not purposeful, and certainly not in a healthy way), and still trying to get back to balance.

I felt lost and lonely, and wondered why I felt like I was going crazy when there was so much around me to be thankful for.

And I often wondered how I could be working so hard at personal development and eating so well, yet still feel like such crap all the time. I was angry, frustrated, sad, lonely, and grieving.

But the truth is, the exact reason I felt like such crap was because I was taking such great care of myself.

I was gaining self-awareness, and because of this I could feel my emotions much more deeply than ever before. And in this way I could release them.

Although the process felt dreadful most times, I realize now looking back that those most difficult moments were me releasing energy, letting go of all the old junk I was holding onto for so long.

When I lived in my hometown I spent most of my life people pleasing. If there was a family gathering, I was there, and I brought the mashed potatoes (you know, the ones I said I don’t like to talk about at Thanksgiving).

When Mom or Dad needed me, I was there. When a friend needed me, I was there.

It didn’t matter if I hadn’t bathed myself that day or eaten more than a morsel, or if I was sick or feeling tired, if I had something else on my agenda, or even if I had homework or a project. I was there.

I sacrificed so much of myself for others, and although this sounds like a noble quality in a person, I never gave myself the attention I deserved and my mind, body and soul were starting to weaken.

So it’s no wonder that once I finally arrived to my destination in Mill Creek, WA I felt more and more depleted by the day.

I was so tired from giving, giving, giving, that my body finally collapsed cold and hard, and the sweet mountains and Evergreens of the Pacific Northwest were right there to catch me.

Spirit is so powerfully communicative out here. I mean, I was told EXACTLY where to go, at the exact moment I needed it (and thankfully, I was listening).

I needed to let go of my old attachments and ideas in order to move forward and become who I was truly meant to be.

Letting go of those attachments has been nothing short of excruciatingly painful, and yet a miracle all at the same time.

And although I love my home in the “mitten” and everyone in it in the very same way, I was able to release the unhealthy patterns of people pleasing and give myself some much needed attention. In fact, I’m not sure I would have been able to do that had I stayed put.

BIRTH-day. A day of birth, of new life.

On this birthday, which also marks my THIRD year in Seattle, I am able to FULLY celebrate me.

I am clear headed, grounded, joyful, and grateful.

I went to my yoga class this morning, and felt playful and free. I am writing this blog, and happily doing so. I am next going to the book store, just to spend some time browsing books, and maybe even doing some more writing (I am writing a book, you know!).

It was meant to be that we relocated during the week of my birthday, because now this day has a whole new meaning to me.

Not only is it the day I was physically born onto this earth, but it is the day I was born once again. This is the day of my new life, the new me, the ME I was born to be.

I have been deepening my research on specific foods and their health benefits, and I have come across some seriously amazing things. Based on my own experience, I have been looking for foods specifically geared toward detoxing heavy metals from the tissues, especially the brain.

Toxic heavy metals can cause numerous side effects in the body, and we all have them in our body to some extent. We get them from exposure throughout our life, and most of the time we would have no clue we are being exposed.

Some of the most common heavy metals found in our body are aluminum, mercury, copper, cadmium, nickel, and lead.

So the question now is, what do heavy metals do in the human body? The answer is, very damaging things to say the least! They poison the body, damaging the brain, liver, and central nervous system. Toxic heavy metals are poisonous and can damage the body’s cells. Not only that, but they are also food for viruses, bacteria, parasites and worms. They create immune system weakness making us susceptible to illness.

In our modern world, it is impossible to avoid heavy metals and other environmental toxins altogether. We are surrounded by them every day, in the air, on our food, in our backyards, medicine cabinets, pantries, in our water, and the list goes on.

But there are certainly ways we can protect ourselves from too much exposure, and also ways of detoxing out the heavy metals we have accumulated throughout our lives. (And yes, we can have these substances in our bodies dating all the way back to birth.)

Another important thing to mention is that heavy metals are just as they are described: heavy. Which means they are heavier than the liquids in our digestive system and therefore settle into our intestines, colon and other organs causing massive digestive issues.

Here is some important information on heavy metals we need to know about:

1. Mercury has been in our bodies for hundreds of years. It was once ingested as a “remedy” given by doctors in the 1800’s, to “cure” illness. But instead it just made people sicker. Our ancestors ingested it, it hid in their tissues, and has been passed down from generation to generation. Now, we are the lucky ones who get to recognize it and detoxify it from our bodies!

And just because we can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there. Mercury remains in our oceans, and we ingest it through seafood. It is in ALL fish, but more prominently so in larger oily fish such as tuna, swordfish and shark. Wild salmon and small fish like sardines are the safest bet when choosing fish, although should be eaten in moderation.

We also get mercury through old mercury fillings. Uncommon today, those of us who have gotten mercury fillings in the past have been or are continually being exposed. But be aware these fillings should only be removed one at a time, or if absolutely necessary. Removal of mercury fillings can even more greatly expose the body to the toxin, therefore putting the immune system under great stress.

2. Heavy metal exposure is a usual thing in this modern world. Toxic metals are in our drinking water, our kitchen (think aluminum foil, aluminum cans, non-stick cookware, etc.) and more. The very best way to handle this is to avoid them as best we can, and to use foods to detoxify from them.

Here are five of the best foods for detoxifying heavy metals from the gut and brain:

· Cilantro- travels to deep places in the body and extracts metals which have been buried for generations

If you have never done any sort of detox regimen before, or are new to this concept altogether, it is recommended to consult with a qualified health care practitioner before doing so.

Detoxification the proper way, is the safest method. If you have questions about where you are on your journey, or if these foods are right for you, be sure to reach out to me. The most important thing is that you are on the right protocol for YOU!

I, myself, am currently embarking on this journey of detoxifying mercury and other metals from my body. I am looking forward to seeing what’s to come, as I have been experiencing anxiety, fatigue, and brain fog, basically for my entire life. I will be sure to report my results as they occur!

I felt compelled to share this for many reasons, but for one, it hits very close to home for me. Strap on your seatbelts because this blog is gonna get real…like, for REAL. (Don’t be scared, but instead try and be open-minded.)

For 30+ years of my life I have suffered from constipation.

I remember as a young child not having a bowel movement for days on end, and once I finally did it was extremely painful. I had to endure the humiliation and extreme discomfort of anal suppositories, and the old “trick” of drinking prune juice was a regular occurrence.

I always suffered from digestive upset, and often it was accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. I truly believe these episodes were the direct result of holding in my waste for long periods of time and finally my body would just purge it out.

Family vacations were a real special kind of treat, where I would either not move my bowels the entire time, or would be stuck inside our hotel room with a stomach ache or vomiting episode.

This has led me into my adult years with a deep fear of traveling because of the discomfort I had to endure. This is a pattern I have been trying desperately to unwind the past few years, and let me tell you it is very difficult to do. (We can talk about unwinding body patterns in a different blog).

Before I get into herbal formulas, I want to be clear about the reasons for constipation, and there are many.

First, constipation can be caused by eating binding foods. What this means is, when we eat binding foods, it sticks like glue in our intestines and cannot move through and out of the colon. Instead is stays locked up inside of us, burying deeply into pockets in our intestines.

In short, binding foods are: meat, dairy, grains, processed/packaged foods. There are no if’s, and’s, or but’s about it. These foods bind in the intestines slowing down digestion, period.

Some of you may be saying, “But wait…when I eat dairy, grains, etc. etc. I don’t have problems.” Yes, this is very possible. Every person’s system is different, but in general, let’s recognize that the above listed foods are binding foods whether you can feel it or not.

Second, constipation can be the result of stress and/or overused and weak adrenal glands. Our adrenal glands are the gas and break pedals for the bowels. When our body is in stress (fight or flight) mode, our adrenals are activated and the bowels are turned off. When we are relaxed, they press the gas pedal on the bowels once again.

There is a physiological reason for this, and it is a very primal function of the human body. If we are being chased by a bear, we have to run. If we are running from a bear, is there time to stop for a quick poop? Absolutely not.

It’s the same thing in this lifetime. We are constantly being faced with life’s challenges and stresses, and it is rare to actually be able to relax for a period of time. And our bodies are so intelligent, that they do exactly as they are supposed to. We are stressed, the adrenals shut off the bowels. It’s that simple.

Of course there are other various reasons for constipation. Perhaps you have had a digestion related medical diagnosis. Perhaps you are taking certain medications that have a side effect of binding. Perhaps you have some hormonal changes taking place.

Whatever the reason may be, the formula I will share with you today is one that I have been experimenting with over the past few years and has produced great results. I have finally found the perfect formulation for me, and want to share this information with you all. Because I know the discomfort, embarrassment, and agony constipation can cause first hand. It’s downright awful.

A few notes on this formula, before you choose to use it.

1) Please only use this formula in conjunction with a healthy, whole foods, plant-filled diet. If you are eating binding foods all the time, this formula may help but it is only temporary and very short term. I cannot stress enough how important it is to be eating clean while using this formula. (If you are unsure of what a healthful diet means for you, contact me! Let’s talk!)

2) If you have been eating a healthy whole-foods-based diet for a while and are still backed up, you may choose to try this formula, but please opt to start small. One or two a day is fine, and you can always work up to more. This formula produces a lot of change and very quickly, and you WILL notice a change. This formula is for those who truly need it and want to see results…so be prepared and start small!

3) If your constipation is due to stress and adrenal weakness (again, if you’re unsure, contact me and let’s talk!), you can still choose this formula if you wish. Regardless of the reason, this formula helps train the bowels to move again. If we have been constipated for many years (as in my personal case), our bowels have grown to become “lazy” so will need some re-training. This formula exercises the colon to train it to move again, as opposed “forcing” it to move. There’s a difference!

4) This is NOT the same thing as a laxative, so please do not use it as such. Herbs provide the body with opportunities to heal itself. When we take herbs, the body will take from them what it needs, and discard the rest. The body uses herbs as tools for healing, rather than relying on an outside source to do the work. Herbs make the body work, not the other way around.

5) Finally, if you are taking a heavy amount of medication, or any medication at all, consult with your healthcare provider or a qualified practitioner to determine if this formula is right for you.

All right, let’s get down to it! Here is my favorite bowel formula. There are many versions, but this is the one I like best:

2 parts Cascara Sagrada – Colon exerciser

1 part Turkey Rhubarb – Colon exerciser

2 parts Slippery Elm – Allows waste to eliminate easily

2 parts Licorice – Adrenal support

1 part Ginger – Great for the stomach; opens blood vessels to allow for deeper penetration of other herbs

I purchase all my herbs online from www.mountainroseherbs.com. They have very high quality and organic herbs. I have been buying my herbs from here for many years and have never been disappointed!

I recommend purchasing all the herbs in powder form, mixing them together well and then capsuling them on your own. It is the most cost effective way to do it. Capsules can be found at your local health store or Mountain Rose Herbs. I recommend size “1” or “00” capsules (“00” are the larger size), and make sure they are veggie capsules if you can.

I encourage you to take your health very seriously, and consult with a qualified health practitioner if you want to go deeper with your healing. If you are unsure of whether you need this formula, or if it would be good for you, please reach out so we can determine this together.

Upcoming Events:

Important Notice: This article should not in any way replace medical care or advisory, and is not intended to be medical advice whatsoever. Andrea McLaughlin of Llovera Holistic, LLC does not diagnose, cure or treat disease in any way, shape or form. By using the information in this article, you are doing so at your own personal risk, and taking full personal responsibility in doing so. Andrea McLaughlin of Llovera Holistic, LLC is not a medical doctor, but is a natural health practitioner. Please consult with your physician before trying anything new or making changes regarding your health.

When we first moved to Seattle from Detroit, I remember feeling intense anxiety and fear, and a sense of being completely uprooted. Moving to a place you’ve only ever seen pictures of is a very exciting yet scary thing. Knowing virtually no one and being completely unfamiliar with your new surroundings is very intimidating to say the least.

At that time I felt called to start each day with a yoga practice, or at the very least some type of movement. I wasn’t sure why, I just knew it was something I had the time for and always felt better after doing. So I built it into my day. And on days when I did not begin with this ritual, I just didn’t feel right.

In recent days, my life has been an extremely busy and even chaotic. I have gone through some pretty rocky times recently, filled with a lot of change and along with that, some pretty intense anxiety.

Some weeks have been more intense than others, but overall there has been little down time, and even less time for me to fit in my daily yoga practice.

Feelings of old have come back to visit me once again, and although not nearly as strong as they used to be, they are still there. I have had to really take time to sort through some things, and upon reflection I began to realize what was happening to me.

I certainly did not understand these most recent feelings of loneliness, loss, confusion, anxiety and fear at first glance. But now that I do, I’d like to share them with you.

When tumultuous energy blesses us with its presence, ultimately it is there to help us learn the lessons we were meant to learn on this earth. It is there to help us expand and grow into who we are truly meant to become. And sometimes in the process we can feel a sense of disconnection or loss.

When we are disconnected from ourselves and who we truly are down to the soul level, there is going to be some confusion and perhaps some other unpleasant feelings.

During this busy time of change and upheaval, I was just not feeling myself and it is because I allowed myself to disconnect from who I truly am.

I was missing yoga classes multiple times a week, and cooking yummy healthy meals in my kitchen took a back seat to my busy life. Volunteering at the animal shelter and spending time with the sweet kitties was being “squeezed in” to my schedule, just to get my hours in for the month. It’s no wonder I was feeling so strange, so not myself. I was surrendering who I truly AM.

I am a yogi. I am a teacher of plant-based nutrition. I am an advocate for the animals.

And I put all that aside? Nonsense and NOT. COOL.

Lesson learned! Thank you Universe!

As a result of this most recent lesson (which wasn’t on the syllabus, btw…next time, teacher, I would like a heads up thank you very much!), my focus for this next chapter in my life is to really dedicate myself to who I truly AM.

That means NOT sacrificing my personal yoga practice. That means cooking tons of yummy meals, creating recipes, focusing on my ebook, and allowing myself to spend more time with our furry friends as I wish.

These past couple months have taught me who I truly am, and what I truly want and need.

Because I am dedicating myself to who I truly AM, there are a lot of brand new and awesome things coming, which I cannot wait to share with you all. I will be sure to keep you updated when things start to come alive!

But if there is one thing I’d like you to take away from this blog post, it is this: Be you, FULLY you. Always.

You’re unique, and you have special gifts only YOU can offer to the world. So bring it!!

When I first started my journey in holistic healing, it was a scary time in my life. I had just quit my job solely on a leap of faith. My parents had told me two days prior to my resignation that they were separating after 29 years of marriage. My therapist of two years passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, and we were moving into a new home. AND I had just gotten married one year prior.

That’s a lot of changes all at once, and although it was stressful I ignored my stress and anxiety, and just went about my business. I was too busy to cry, or mourn, eat or sleep, or even go to the bathroom many times.

I pushed forward, each day one foot in front of the other, ignoring my emotions. After a few months of doing this, my body responded by creating illness and I became very sick. I was in and out of doctors month after month, pill after pill, until I ended up taking five prescription medications daily by the age of 28.

Looking back now eight years later, I am not one bit surprised that my body responded in this way. My body was trying to tell me to take care of ME, to allow whatever was happening to come to the surface, to stop holding it all in.

But over the years we have somehow lost connection with our bodies as a society. We have been taught to cover up symptoms, to shut off our emotions with pills, to stay quiet and hold in our true feelings and thoughts.

But what happens when we do this is, our bodies will reveal the truth sooner or later. The body never lies.

A great example of this is, when I was 15 years old, my parents took our family on a beautiful vacation to an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica. On the last day of our vacation, the day we were traveling back home, I woke up feeling intensely nauseated. We had to get on that plane, so I had no choice but to get up and go.

My mom came back to our room with a pill she said would help me feel better. I took the pill, and about an hour later I felt normal again. Whew. Dodged that bullet!

But not so fast. Two weeks later the nausea resurfaced, and I was in bed for four days or more feeling sick, feverish, weak and having constant bowel movements. After an exam at the doctor and some fecal testing, we found out I had contracted salmonella food poisoning, likely from some bad chicken I ate in the Caribbean. I had to just drink a lot of water and allow it to pass through me. (Yes, this was followed up by a health department inspection in my home, it was a big deal!)

The point of this story is, nothing is silenced permanently. We can suppress or ignore all we want to, but in the end our body will bring the truth to light, and we will have some moments of discomfort. But, once we move through it, we have the opportunity to feel like we did when we took that pill but even 100 times better than that.

Please know that I do understand sometimes pills are necessary, like in circumstances of extreme pain, surgery or advanced dis-ease. But generally in our lives, our bodies are telling us countless things throughout each day, either whispering or screaming. Can you tune in and examine what the message might be? And if you don’t know what the message means, what can you do to take steps to find out?

Some important ways our bodies communicate with us:

· Rashes, hives, acne

· Moles, growths

· Pain of any kind

· Digestive discomfort

· Inflammation/redness

· Swelling

· Diarrhea or vomiting

· Joint stiffness or pain

· Muscle tightness

· Mucus

· Cold/flu-like symptoms

· And much more

When I first began this healing journey, I was in a place of deep fear and anxiety about what was happening to my body. I would see or feel something new happening, and I would panic inside and run to the doctor in sheer terror of what ‘could be.’

I remember having trouble breathingfor a while (that’s for a different blog...maybe next time!), and would see commercials on TV for things like COPD, asthma, heart conditions, etc. The anxiety would start and I would call the doctor and start Googling what was “wrong” with me.

This is the place I was, and I’m sure many of you are there now or have been in the past. But once I changed my perspective on what was happening, I was able to be more at ease and really tune in to the signs my body was showing me.

When we can think of our “ailments” or symptoms as simple and straightforward communication to us, we can begin to investigate what the message is.

Working with qualified professionals is always recommended in this case, if you are unsure of what may be going on. But beyond that, YOU know your body better than anyone. Can you perhaps meditate, and ask yourself what you may need to know? Can you tweak your diet slightly to start incorporating more fresh, whole foods? Can you start a log or journal about what you may be experiencing, and see if you notice a pattern?

These are some small yet proactive things you can do to become more empowered and get to know your body a little better. Get cozy with yourself, and get to know your body on a deeper level. This is not only empowering and productive, but a beautiful journey of life you may begin to eventually enjoy. And be sure to surround yourself with a team of professionals who can co-creatively support you as well.

When I go online to do a Google search for recipes, the last thing I want to do is read a big long blog before I get to the main event. And no offense to all you wonderful bloggers out there, but that’s what I find most often when a recipe pops up on the internet. No thanks!

Once and for all I’m here to end this madness…let’s get to the point! Last week I made a delightful potato dish for dinner, and it was a hit on Facebook so I thought I’d share the recipe with you here.

So…dadadadaaaaaaaa! Here it is (and you didn’t have to read a bunch of my babble to get to it)!

· 4 drops pure stevia extract (no additives…Trader Joe’s has a great one, or find the NOW brand on Amazon)

· Small handful fresh cilantro (leaves and stems included)

· Pink Himalayan Sea Salt to taste, approx. ¼ teaspoon

For the Buddha Bowl…

· 1 large green zucchini, sliced into small discs

· ½ sweet onion, chopped

· a little coconut oil for the sautee

· 1-2 green onions, chopped

· Small bunch of cilantro, finely chopped

· ½ cucumber, chopped small

· 1-2 carrots, peeled and chopped into small slices

- 1 small ripe avocado

How to:

Heat oven to 375. Place potato chunks into a baking dish and add coconut oil, curry powder according to how much spice you like (I like medium, so I added approx. 1 tablespoon if I had to guestimate), salt and pepper to taste. Mix all ingredients until blended evenly, and place in the oven. Bake for about 60 minutes, or until potatoes are tender enough to eat.

While the potatoes are cooking, chop all veggies for Buddha Bowl and set aside, making sure to separate the zucchini and sweet onion from everything else (we are going to sautee these on the stove…the rest will be served raw).

To make the sauce, simply add all ingredients to a high speed blender, bullet or Vitamix and blend until uniformly mixed. You want this to be quite liquidy…sort of a “soup” consistency.

Tip: Be sure to blend until the coconut oil is uniformly blended, as sometimes it can create sort of a coconut oil “foam” on top…you don’t want this. If this happens, blend for longer and on a higher speed. Or, feel free to eliminate the coconut oil altogether. (Although, full disclosure, I have not tried eliminating the coconut oil.)

About 15-20 minutes before the potatoes are done baking, chop the zucchini and sweet onion, and warm a pan to medium heat on the stove. Add enough coconut oil to the pan to sautee, then add zucchini and sweet onion. Sautee for about 10 minutes, until tender. Feel free to add any seasonings you’d like to these. I added sea salt and pepper, just enough to give it a little “umph,” if you know what I mean!

Once the potatoes are done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for 2 minutes before serving.

Eating a 100% vegan diet I get asked this question often: Where do you get your protein?

Since Dr. Atkins came out with his high protein low carb diet, protein has been quite the rage. For a few decades, protein has been the answer to all kinds of questions.

How do I lose weight?

Protein.

What should a balanced meal consist of?

Vegetables, starch, and protein.

How can I build more muscle?

Protein.

I need a hearty meal that’s quick and filling. What should I make?

A protein shake.

These are just some of the common challenges that protein is supposedly the solution for. Not to mention, there are all kinds of diets out there that cater to high protein and low carb, such as the paleo diet, ketogenic diet and others.

High protein diets are often thought of as the solution to many physiological difficulties, and is painted a colorful picture in the realm of health. But, are high protein diets safe?

First, let’s talk about what proteins actually are.

Proteins are large molecules that play important roles in the body. Some of the functions of proteins include: antibodies protecting the body from viruses and bacteria, enzymes for essential chemical reactions, messengers, structure for the cells, transport and storage.

Proteins are made of smaller units called amino acids. There are 20 different amino acids which can be combined to make a protein. The order of these amino acids determines the type of protein and its function.

Proteins are like a beaded necklace. The necklace is the protein, and the beads are individual amino acids.

How does the body respond to protein?

When we talk about the relevance of protein in the body, it is obviously very important, as it has so many vital roles.

However, the human body does not necessarily need the proteins we are eating. Let’s take a piece of chicken for example. When we eat that piece of chicken, which is a protein (the beaded necklace), the body cannot use that protein as is. In order for the body to use it for necessary functions, it must first break down this protein into individual amino acids (the beads), and then re-assemble these beads into the order necessary for specific bodily functions.

Remember that the order of amino acids in a protein determine the type of protein and its function. So let’s say the body is in need of a messenger protein. The chicken breast you just ate is not in itself a messenger protein. So the body will first need to dis-assemble the chicken into individual amino acids, and then re-assemble these amino acids into the exact order it needs to create a messenger protein. This takes time, energy and a whole lot of work!

So, what’s the whole point of all this?

The point is, high protein diets are not all they have been cracked up to be.

Proteins lack fiber and nutrients, slowing down digestion and leaving us with little to show for it. They leach energy from the body with their lengthy and taxing digestion process. In addition, proteins are very hard on the liver, kidneys and adrenal glands, essential components of an optimally functioning body. Digestion suffers immensely, as it is very hard for the human body to break down proteins.

Most proteins, especially animal proteins, are also acidic, which means they are on the opposite end of the PH scale that is required for human consumption. This is an important point because when the body is acidic (from eating too many acid PH foods like meat and dairy), amino acids from these proteins will tend to bind with minerals, metals and fats. This not only adds to toxicity and acidity in the body, but also creates a loss of available amino acids (building blocks of protein)! You can eat all the protein you want, but without proper bio-availability of amino acids, your body cannot use them.

The human species was designed to ingest and utilize fruits and vegetables, not heavy, dense proteins, and especially not in large quantities.

Please do not misunderstand. I’m not saying that eating protein is bad, but rather that high proteindiets are destructive to the body’s organs and glands.

If you are on a high protein diet, or have ever been on one, what have you experienced in your body? How is your digestion? How is your energy level? Are you eliminating on a daily basis? How is/was your skin quality? These are some questions that may be worth exploring for yourself.

The body needs a very small amount of protein in a day, but many of us are over-consuming it and in turn, suffering the consequences.

Ok, so where do I get my protein from?

Great question! I thought you’d never ask.

The answer is fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds. (Yes, fruits have amino acids!) These plants have amino acids, which do not need to be broken down first in order to be utilized by the body.

When we consume enough fruits and vegetables, our body takes from them what it needs, including amino acids and assembles them to perform important functions. There is no struggle to digest them, and as an added bonus, we are getting plenty of vitamins and minerals…naturally.

We are not only getting essential protein building blocks from these plants, but we are also getting fatty acids (building blocks of fats), and the healthy sugar we need to fuel our cells and survive.

Fruits and vegetables are detoxifying, nutrient rich, and alkaline. Alkaline is the ideal PH level for the human body, as we are an alkaline species. Many deaths occur from acidosis, where the body is too acidic (from eating too many acid foods) and cannot get itself back to an alkaline state fast enough to survive.

Conclusion

High protein diets: Nay! Highly overrated. There is little nutrition to be found in a high protein diet, and not only that, but it is highly destructive to the human body.

If you feel you are in need of protein, I recommend Vega Oneor SunWarrior Protein, or getting your daily dose of leafy greens! But I highly encourage not overdoing protein. Less is more!

I had the wonderful experience of attending my one and only sister’s baby shower this past weekend. I got to spend time with not only my sister (who lives far, far away in a distant land called Florida), but also my parents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

I have been living in the Pacific Northwest for about 2.5 years now, and am starting to really feel at home here. We have found our “tribe,” our favorite places to dine and shop, and I’d say we are adapting pretty well to the climate considering we get just about zero snow (Midwest folks, I know you can appreciate this).

We have learned countless lessons and have grown so much spiritually in the past couple years. I will NEVER regret making the move…it was so right. In fact, life couldn’t have lined itself up more perfectly for us and I am grateful each day.

But if there’s one thing that never ceases to tug at my heart strings, it’s making a visit to see family and friends.

These are the people that know me and love me for ME. No explanation needed, no justification, no feeling like I have to pretend or hide behind “the happy mask,” no pressure. Just good, solid quality time, me being me, them being them, and we accept and love one another for exactly who we were born to be.

They know my story. Many of them were around the day I came into this world, and remember watching me grow up from just a tiny baby and on into adulthood.

They remember my shyness as a kid, my awkward years as a tween, and then they watched me graduate high school as a young adult trying to find my way in this world.

Just the energy of a family visit is very validating. There can be no words spoken, and yet the communication is crystal clear. That is a rare gem if you ask me.

To be around this beautiful energy for three days straight makes you really think about what the heck you are doing with your life. Why am I so far away? Is it worth it? And then, you ultimately start to feel lost, lonely and homesick.

Upon my return to Seattle I was walking from my gate to baggage claim and began to hear music. I looked to my right and in a tiny little corner sat an old hippie man with a long grey pony tail playing guitar and singing. Yep, in the middle of the airport. There’s a first time for everything I suppose!

Only a breath later, I felt the music fill my soul, and a surge of energy washed over the top of my head as if God was speaking to me. Then a little voice in my head said, “Sweetheart, welcome home.”

And all doubt went away. All the questions I was asking myself vanished and I instantly felt calm come over me.

Sometimes we need to be reminded that, no matter what happens, all the answers are inside of US. That no matter where we are physically, we are always at home with ourselves.

Being with my family felt like home. It felt like it was where I was supposed to be. But it had nothing to do with location, and everything to do with the beautiful lesson I was about to learn walking through Seattle airport that day.

Life presents us with some pretty tough love every now and then. But the question almost always is, what is this teaching me?

And although I still miss my family, and still long for those feelings of unconditional love and validation now and then, I know that home truly is where the heart is. And we all have the power, at any time, to come home.

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I cannot believe how time has flown by. Last year at this very time, I was really struggling with my health. I had all kinds of digestive issues, too many to list. I was fatigued, stressed, lacking focus, and was suffering from some mild depression and intense anxiety. I was confused and felt defeated.

Fast forward to today, and my digestion is 1,000 times better, I feel much calmer, more focused and a lot happier.

This took hard work and dedication, but I have made it happen and I did it all with nutrition and herbs.

I have tried many healing diets over the past eight years, but eating mostly raw fruits and vegetables has proven to be superior over any other, in my personal experience. I have never felt stronger, more energized, or more alive.

I do not feel deprived, nor do I feel I am lacking anything in my body. I have everything I need, and I am so grateful for this healing experience.

This personal journey has inspired me to go deeper not only in my own healing, but with my clients as well.

As some of you may know, I have been working on my Detoxification Certification Exam for some time. It took me about three months to complete it to the point where I was confident enough to submit for grading.

After a ton of hard work and a wealth of information learned, I can finally say I passed my exam with flying colors. I am now a Certified Detoxification Specialist, and I am so excited to bring this knowledge more deeply into my practice.

Detoxification is the great key to healing in the human body. This is healing at the cellular level. Through detoxification we can see regeneration of tissues, organs and glands. We can see the regulation of body functioning that was once suppressed. We can see energy, vibrancy and joy. We can get to know ourselves on more than just a physical level, and truly live life to our fullest potential.

I believe in the principles of detoxification down to my core, and I look so forward to sharing this knowledge with my clients and friends.

There is nothing like feeling alive and well on a daily basis The only reason I know this is because I have done deep work with detoxification and cellular regeneration, and I will continue to do this work moving forward.

One day at a time, one tiny little cell at a time, we CAN get well. In fact, we can thrive!

If you have been following my blogs and posts for some time, you may have noticed that I used to eat meat, and now I don’t. And you might be wondering why.

It was a slow and steady progression, from meat, eggs and dairy to mostly fresh raw fruits and vegetables. The truth is I had no plans to make this transition; it simply happened naturally on its own time, as a result of feeling unwell in my day to day. Just when I thought I found the solution, another symptom would creep up and I found myself in a continuous cycle of feeling good, then bad, then good, then bad again until most of the time I was just feeling bad. (Click here to read about some of the symptoms I was experiencing.)

I found that changing to mostly raw fruits and vegetables not only helped me feel better, but quickly became a lifestyle that I have thoroughly been enjoying. I am in love with the amazing new plant based recipes I can try. I love the colors and flavors of nature, and I feel more energized and alive than ever before.

I have been asked by many, “So are you vegan now?” And, I suppose the simplest answer would be yes. But I hesitate to refer to myself using the term “vegan” unless someone asks me directly, I’m ordering at a restaurant, or I’m in a social situation where that term helps others understand my food preferences. Here’s why I don’t call myself vegan:

1) There are many foods labeled “vegan” that are unhealthy for the human body.

Vegan is a term used to describe a diet free of animal products including meat, dairy and eggs. A vegan diet can certainly be a healthy one, but it isn’t always that way.

Processed foods have been a huge detriment to our population’s health. Yet I have seen cookies, crackers, soups, cakes, chips, boxed meals and much more labeled “vegan.” This is not only meant to cater to the vegan population, but also to create the illusion that a particular product is healthy. There are certain connotations with the word “vegan,” one of them being “healthier option.” I am not saying that eating these types of vegan products is a bad thing. Everyone is different in what they choose to consume.

However, a vegan diet does not necessarily mean a healthy diet. I would never want anyone to mistake my diet for anything resembling a box of vegan mac n’ cheese, or sugar loaded vegan cookies. I eat for nutrition, not just to say I’m vegan. And just because it says vegan does not mean it’s a healthy choice.

2) As mentioned above, I eat for nutrition.

At this point, I suppose I could publicly call myself vegan. But again, this is not the point. The majority of my diet consists of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables. These beautiful and high nutrient foods created by nature contain everything the human body needs: vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, natural fuels, amino acids (protein) and fatty acids (fats).

Eating fruits and vegetables in abundance helps support and nourish our organs and glands, balance the PH in the body, hydrate our cells, provide sustainable energy, detoxify, create a self-healing environment in the body and much, much more.

I don’t think of myself as vegan with this diet. I think of myself as someone who eats what my body wants, craves and needs for fuel. I want to live a long life. And not just long, but long and vibrant. This is how I feel when I eat some of the healthiest foods on the planet.

3) It’s a lifestyle, not a label.

In the past year or so I have discovered that I have a deep bond and connection with animals. I knew I loved animals before, as I have always loved cats and other sweet furry friends. But in the past year I have truly discovered that my love for these little creatures runs deeper than I ever thought.

It is my mission (and now my obligation) to treat all creatures with love and kindness. To honor all beings, human and animal, and to treat all with respect. I have a strong devotion to making sure the animals I come in contact with have a loving home, or are treated humanely and left to roam freely in their natural habitat.

A few years ago a sweet little kitten appeared on my front porch. She had no collar, but looked very healthy and was so loving. I sat with her, scratched her sweet little head and let her crawl into my lap for a few minutes. I knew I could not let her into my own home, as I had a sweet kitty of my own to care for and protect. But my plans changed that day, from grocery shopping to making sure this little being had a home.

I took her to the vet to make sure she was pest free. I got some bloodwork done on her so I knew she was disease-free. I took her to the clubhouse at our apartment, handed them the paperwork, and they housed her overnight. In the meantime, I asked all my friends and family if they would like to adopt a kitty, just to make sure I had a backup in case her owner never came forward. As it turned out, the original owner claimed the kitty, and was so overjoyed she cried and thanked me endlessly.

To me, this wasn’t a choice. It was just what I was supposed to do. I could never leave a tiny innocent being on the streets and I wasn’t going to, regardless of how my day changed.

The same goes for eating my fruits and vegetables. This is just what I do now. It’s not a choice anymore for me. My body gets what it wants for nutrition, nourishment and support.

To me, being vegan is just a lifestyle. I don’t have to think, I just do. I don’t even think of myself as vegan. I think of myself as a healthy eater, a mentor and teacher for others, a lover of all creatures, a lover of Mother Earth and the environment, and somewhat of a chef who makes yummy healthy food!

All of this is now second nature and part of who I am, not something I call myself.

4) All friends are welcome in my world.

As mentioned above, I love all creatures on this planet, human and furry friends. When I go to someone’s home for dinner, or when I eat out at a restaurant socially, or when I’m in any type of group atmosphere, all ways of eating are welcome in my presence.

Just because I don’t eat meat, dairy or eggs any longer doesn’t mean someone else has to do the same. And it certainly doesn’t mean I would judge someone who does, or be offended by it.

It also doesn’t mean I would feel uncomfortable when someone eats a steak in front of me. Everyone is on their own path. Everyone has their own specific dietary needs and desires.

The first thing I say to someone would not be, “Hi I’m Andrea and I’m vegan.”

We are all the same, vegan or not. So why would I need to call myself vegan? I know in my heart who I am, and those who know me do too. I most certainly don’t need to place a label on myself to tell others about me.

So, am I vegan?

Well, I guess technically yes.

More accurately though, I’m a health and environmental advocate. A teacher. A friend. A loved one. A sister. A daughter. A wife. A kitty mama. A yogi. A normal gal who likes to keep my body, mind and spirit healthy.

Our brains are bombarded by new information every single day, all day long. It doesn’t matter if we are right in our living room or out on the town, the media is telling us all about the good, the bad and the ugly from numerous sources. As a result we don’t know what to believe anymore. It’s no wonder there is so much confusion about nutrition!

“Juice cleanses are healthy. But juice cleanses are too harsh. Eat tons of vegetables…except for cruciferous or nightshade veggies. Protein is good, carbs are bad. Except for when carbs are good for you and protein is bad. Take vitamin C. Too much vitamin C is not good. Eat paleo…because being a hunter-gatherer is the way to go…except in the summer when it’s fruit season. It’s important to eat whole grains for the fiber. Whole grains are bad and make you fat. Stand on your head and do a happy dance while eating a carrot. Except on the 4th day of every other month or on a full moon. Garcinia Cambogia is the cure for everything, except for when you need Ashwagandha…”

Are you confused yet? I am! We get fed so much from the media that comes from who knows where, it’s not surprising we have so many health issues in our country. So I am writing this blog to simplify things for you today. Here’s a short story you may be able to relate to…

Growing up, my family ate the standard American diet for the most part. We would have Cheerios for breakfast, drive-thru McDonald’s for lunch, enjoy some crispy chicken fingers and fries for dinner. We had the occasional ice cream for dessert, regular birthday cakes, pumpkin pie at holidays and you get the picture.

But it didn’t matter what I ate in a day. No matter what, there was always one common theme. In the words of Forrest Gump, “My momma always said, ‘as long as you eat your vegetables.’”

Even if you grew up eating the standard American diet like me, there was never a question as to whether fresh vegetables were a healthy option! Pretty much everyone I have ever talked to in my entire 35 years of living on this earth has said something like this at some point: “I need to start eating more vegetables.” Even the president of the American Candy Bars association (totally make believe organization, in case you didn’t grasp that humor…wait, is that a thing?) understands that eating your vegetables is beneficial.

So my point is, if there is ONE thing you can always count on to be true, just one teeny tiny little thing, it’s that fresh vegetables are healthy for the human body.

The other half of the equation though, is that fresh fruits are healthy for the human body as well, and they often get a bad rap. Fruits are criticized for being “too sugary.” I often hear phrases like, I don’t eat too much fruit, it’s too sugary; Don’t eat too much fruit, you’ll gain weight.

These two statements couldn’t be further from the truth. Fresh fruits have a beautiful balance of healthy sugar (the sugar our cells need to survive and thrive!), fatty acids (building blocks of fats), and amino acids (building blocks of protein). And to address the topic you may be perplexed about now, YES! Fruits have amino acids! Fruits are the whole package: vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, fiber, healthy sugars, amino acids and fatty acids.

As for the weight gain topic, I have never known or seen anyone gain weight from fresh fruit. I know people who live solely off of fruit, and they are some of the most fit and healthy people I have met. Yes, you may gain some weight if you are eating too much canned fruit with added sugars. Or perhaps if you are eating fruit as a large portion of your diet but also other things remain in your diet like processed sugar, complex carbohydrates, fatty foods, etc. If you feel you may gain weight/are gaining weight from fruit, it may be good to examine not only what else remains in your diet, but also your state of health at that time. Are you struggling with hormone imbalance? Do you have a thyroid weakness? These are examples of things to explore.

If anything, I have seen people drop weight significantly when eating fruit as a large portion of their diet. This is due to the detoxification of the body. Fruits detoxify, tone, strengthen, and provide nutrition. What more could we want out of a food group?

So let’s wrap this up in the simplest way possible. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the most nutritious foods we can eat on this planet. Herbs are also at the top of the list for healing and strengthening. Everything else is pretty much secondary. If you’re questioning what to make for your next meal, load up on the veggies and fruits! The human body was designed to consume these. This is whole foods nutrition at its best, and my momma said so! Did yours?

Was this article helpful? Click like and share, or email us directly with comments at: andrea@lloveraholistic.com

May 19-21 in Gold Bar, WA

Growing up I ate like your average American. Chicken fingers and fish sticks for dinner, pop tarts for breakfast and the occasional McDonald’s drive-thru happy meal. One of my favorite memories from my pre-teen and teen years was our weekly Friday night dinner at a little diner in walking distance from my house.

In the Detroit suburb of Farmington Hills a little place on the corner called Leo’s Coney Island was known for its delicious Greek salads with extra feta cheese, gyros that were to die for, and the extra rice pudding you got to take home at the end of the night because you frequented the place so often.

The owner knew how to do business. A very friendly man with a strong accent, he knew us well and gave my sister and I free chocolate mints (normally 50 cents), extra pita and rice pudding for the road every so often. (Our weekly dinners were paying off!)

My family and I would regularly meet our friends there for Friday night Greek salads (dressing on the side, extra feta), lemon rice soup and some fun and laughter.

The soup was warming, and sent my taste buds and imagination to a warm camp fire surrounded by friends giggling and reminiscing of good times had. The Greek salads made me forget about my chemistry homework for a while, and of course the rice pudding satisfied my sweet tooth and gave me a warm fuzzy feeling, like that of Christmas Eve night with excitement and anticipation of Santa’s treasures the next morning.

Every time we went to Leo’s, I never wanted it to end. And if you are one of my dear friends who engaged in this cozy weekly event and are reading this right now, you know exactly what I mean. These were the best of times, the moments when time just seemed to stop, and you could really nurture your tummy and your soul.

Fast forward to today, I have been having a serious craving for some Leo’s Coney Island food! And I’m not just talking about the famous Greek salad. I’m talking about fried pita loaded with butter, hash browns with a side of OMG-THIS-IS-HEAVEN omelet, and a greasy grilled cheese with a side of chili cheese fries to-go. I mean, it’s been a really rough month!

Because I am so dedicated to my new healthy lifestyle and because I ultimately know that if I did indulge I would feel like “H-E double hockey sticks” for days, I have avoided giving in.

But the real question is, WHY was I having these cravings? Where on earth did this come from? I mean, I have not eaten this food in years and I haven’t thought about it in forever. And when I have thought about it in the past, it was a fleeting thought…it came and went. This stuck around for a month or more, and I just couldn’t seem to get it out of my mind. WHY? Why now?

From a physical standpoint, it could be argued that my body was craving salt. Craving salt is a sign of an imbalance in the body, and also a sign of weak kidneys.

The only problem with this theory is that I was not craving salty food itself. I was craving diner food. I could care less about pizza, or potato chips, or blah blah blah. I just wanted greasy, filthy diner food, straight off that skillet. Bring it on, Leo’s!

And as I contemplated possible reasons for this craving, it dawned on me. I wasn’t craving the actual food itself. Instead, I was craving the emotion it brings with it.

Those warm fuzzy feelings of Friday night dinners, laughing and reminiscing with friends, Mom and Dad still married, all of us together sharing good old fashioned fun and food. That was it…I was craving moments in time.

So obviously I had to deal with the realization that I cannot go back in time, that I have to keep moving forward toward my destiny, that nothing can bring my past back to me no matter what I do, and yadda yadda (let’s just say life is better with therapy).

But enough about me, let’s talk about the correlation between emotions and food. The feelings we get when we eat certain foods are incredibly powerful. And this is an actual, scientifically proven physiological response in the body.

When we eat something delicious (comfort food), it sends signals to the brain and feel-good hormones (like dopamine) are released. Now, our food is no longer nourishment and nutrition. Our food has become family, Christmas morning, game night at the Millers, that time when we went sledding and then warmed up with some hot cocoa, Dad’s birthday party in 1996, the high school dance, and obviously, Friday night dinners at Leo’s.

Comfort food creates patterns. We taste the food, we feel good, we associate it with events, our cells remember how that feels, we are triggered by a certain smell, sight, sound or thought, and now we want more of that food.

The cravings you are feeling are normal, valid and very common. Emotional eating is real. We want those experiences back. We want to feel good. We want the warm fuzzies. And the only thing that is tangible is the food we associate with those experiences.

Next time you’re having a craving and you don’t know why, perhaps try and explore how that food makes you feel. What emotions come up when you taste it? What past experiences can you recall that might trigger you to want this food or flavor on your taste buds?

Remember, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about exploring, asking the questions, and most of all gaining a better understanding of the WHY behind it all. Once we can understand why, we are automatically educating ourselves and therefore becoming empowered to move forward and make the best decisions for ourselves. Understanding the emotions behind the craving will create a great change in perspective. A change in perspective can help us move forward with more self-awareness and ultimately, new healthy lifestyle patterns.

What will you do the next time you are having a craving?

I’d love to hear from you! Was this article helpful? Tell us in the comments below or contact: andrea@lloveraholistic.com

About ten months ago when I found out I had adrenal fatigue, I began healing on a much deeper level than I ever had before. What started as what I call my “third healing crisis” ultimately led to my next level of education: detoxification. (Click here to read about my third healing crisis.)

To some, detoxification can sound like a scary, overwhelming topic. However, I can assure you that detoxification is simple, and is the key to true health and longevity. Not only have I come a long way in my own healing as a result of almost ten months of detoxification, I just recently submitted my Detoxification Certification Exam. I will soon be a Certified Detoxification Specialist and be able to help others on an even deeper level in my practice.

One of the symptoms I have been experiencing on my own health journey is extreme thinness. Although this is one of many symptoms, it is an important one because it is linked to nutrient deficiency.

I was always taught that (and most of us are) if we are ingesting enough nutrition from food, we are automatically getting enough. But this is only partially true. Nutrient deficiency is most often the result of lack of nutrient absorption in the intestines.

Let’s use myself as an example. When I actively began my healing journey at the age of 21, I began eating more nutritiously dense foods. I was sure to increase my fruit and vegetable intake, I took a multi-vitamin, and ate the whole grains that were supposed to be healthy for me. Instead of white bread, I chose wheat bread at the deli. Instead of fried foods, I chose baked. Instead of a grilled cheese and soup for dinner, I chose salad. You get the idea.

Although my health began to improve from where it was previously, I still was not well and was not able to fully start getting well until about ten months ago once I started my own detoxification. For years I suffered with high anxiety and depression, digestive issues, extreme PMS (sometimes even a few months’ stretch of skipping periods), frequent sinusitis and bronchitis, asthma, and even a thyroid disorder. (There is more on that list but it is too extensive to list here. Refer to this articleto read about my most healing crisis and its array of symptoms.)

For most of my time from the age of 21 until most recently, I had been trying to treat symptoms using food…and it just wasn’t working. When I felt depleted I would drink smoothies and juices, and up my raw fruit and veggie intake. This was great progress, but it just wasn’t enough. I wondered why I wasn’t getting better, and knew there had to be an answer…there had to be something more to it that I wasn’t seeing. As it turns out, there was.

When we talk about nutrient absorption, we are referring to the absorption of nutrients that takes place mostly in the small intestines. (A small portion takes place in the large intestine as well.) Along the mucous membranes of the intestines, there are small, finger-like projections called villi, as well as small pores. This is where absorption of nutrients takes place.

Most of us have had years and even decades of exposure to dairy, processed foods, gluten, starch, animal flesh, and refined sugars. The human body is not equipped to digest these foods as they are acidic and inflammatory, lack fiber, are void of nutrition and create a sticky “glue-like” substance in the intestines called mucoid plaque. This mucoid plaque is a result of these foreign substances binding together. Not only does this cause an array of digestive issues, it is also much of the reason for malabsorption. Mucoid plaque prevents nutrients from being absorbed by the body as it becomes impacted in and around the pores and villi of the intestines, where absorption takes place.

Going back to the example of my 21-year-old self, yes I was starting to feel better, but only in certain aspects. I still had an array of symptoms that would not go away. The reason for this is, I was still eating those offending foods. Yogurt, whole wheat bread, grains, meats and the occasional sweet treat were still regular parts of my diet at the time. No amount of fruits and veggies could make up for that fact. There is no way to “counteract” inflammatory foods with fruits and veggies; the only way to truly heal is to stop eating those offending foods in the first place. Then the body will have a clear path for healing. Just like a house that has been burned to the ground, we must remove the rubble before we can rebuild it. This is called detoxification. This is true healing.

So now the question is, how do we get our body to start absorbing nutrients again? The key is in the types of foods we eat and the types of foods we eliminate or minimize in our diet. Fresh, raw fruits and vegetables are the foods the human body was meant to consume. Some nuts and seeds are also beneficial. Eat what nature intended, and you will see great changes in your body, mind and spirit. Dairy, animal flesh, processed foods, grains and starches, and refined sugar should be eliminated or minimized greatly. These only contribute to symptoms of dis-ease and malabsorption.

Now don’t get me wrong, this is real life and there is no such thing as perfection. There are holidays, social events, emotional triggers, peer pressure, lack of accessibility, etc. There are inevitably going to be times when we can only do the best we can do in certain situations, and that’s ok. Treat yourself once in a while, and don’t sweat it. But in the grand scheme of things, eating the right foods the majority of the time will bring you good health and a long life.

Finally, medicinal herbs can help support the body in the detoxification and healing process. Herbs help heal and strengthen tissues, and support body systems in functioning properly. Herbs are safe and beneficial, but should be used under the care of a qualified professional. Please use herbs with care and caution, and work with a holistic practitioner to find out which herbal combinations are best for you.

Above all, YOU make the ultimate decision: health or dis-ease? Begin to educate yourself, and consult with a holistic practitioner for support. Change your diet and empower yourself…the choice is yours!

Was this article helpful? Tell us in the comments or contact: andrea@lloveraholistic.com

As some of you may know, I took a break from social media for seven days. I love y’all, but there are times where we just need to step away from the electronics, the outside world and everyone else’s business, and just be.

Those seven days away from Facebook made such an impact on me that it sparked some amazing ideas, gave me some much needed peace of mind, and really fed my soul.

When we take time away from all the distractions of life, we are able to turn inward and really give ourselves the love and care we need. Not only that, but sometimes we can get some major “epiphanies” (AKA: messages from the Universe), and get some questions answered that we have been asking for quite a while.

This is exactly what happened to me…just by taking some time away from all the chatter on social media.

I’m sure you might be asking yourself is, what did she do all that time? And the answer is simple. I focused on myself, on the things I love to do most. I filled my heart and soul with all the things that bring the most joy to my life.

A lot of my time was spent finishing up some studying on my detoxification course, and practicing my music for choir. I also did some reading (for pleasure!), practiced tons of yoga (sometimes even more than one class in a day), and of course saw clients and kept up with blogging. I did a ton of meditation and inner work, asking myself questions, listening for the answer and watching for signs from the Universe.

Little did I know that I was going to get an answer that totally threw me for a loop. About five months ago, I started looking for a part time job. I applied at plenty of places (about 15) I thought would be a good fit, but nothing has worked out thus far.

One evening during my break from social media, my husband and I were having a conversation over dinner about why on earth I can’t find a simple job at a book store or grocery store. My resume’ is updated and professional, I have plenty of experience in customer service and I am more than qualified for any job (if you ask me ;) ).

And then it clicked: It wasn’t meant to be. It simply wasn’t time for that and the Universe had been telling me that loud and clear…for months. I just wasn’t listening!

During this dinner conversation my sweet husband brought up a good point. Here’s a sneak peek of how our conversation went that evening:

Husband: Maybe the whole part time job thing just wasn’t meant to be right now. Maybe there’s something else.

Me: Yeah, like what?

Husband: Well…when did you say Yoga Teacher Training starts?

Me: January…why?

(Keep in mind that, up until this point I had convinced myself that teacher training was not in the cards this coming year. I made up my mind that I was going to focus all my time on seeing clients, my detoxification course and iridology. Yoga Training would come at the perfect time, and right now wasn’t it.)

Husband: Maybe that job isn’t coming your way because you should be focusing on yoga.

Me: But, wait…I already decided not this year. I’m focused on my course. And my clients and groups. And traveling…what about our vacation?!

Husband: So…?? We will work around your training. Why not now? Why don’t you use your spare time to focus on something you have a passion for?

Me: That’s a good question…

And so it is.

The forces of nature not only brought me to this beautiful place in the Pacific Northwest two short years ago, but they also brought me to yoga. For the past (almost) two years I have immersed myself in the practice. I have felt the true benefits of yoga, not just physically but in all realms: body, mind and spirit.

Yoga has helped me heal in countless ways. The intense anxiety I have experienced my entire life is slowly starting to melt away. I feel stronger in all aspects. My fear has subsided. I released so many painful emotions which I was holding onto so tightly for so long. I have found a community of like-minded individuals who hold similar values to me. I have felt the warmth and endless love from this community, and I consider them like family.

If there’s ever a day (and there are many) where I feel lost, lonely or afraid, one thing I can always count on is the practice of yoga and the community of love and support around me.

I want to help others feel the same way…to know that, no matter the weather, no matter what life’s struggles may bring, we can always turn to our mat. We can always take a few precious moments out of our day to honor our body, mind and spirit, and turn inward. It is here where all the answers lie. It is within our-SELF that we can find true peace…and we can find it on our mat.

I will officially begin this amazing journey of Yoga Teacher Training in January 2017. I look so forward to all the learning I’m about to do, and I can’t wait to touch the lives of many with yoga.

*Endless thanks to my teachers and mentors who have inspired me to take this leap*

I absolutely love beets. About every two weeks I bring home a big bunch of them from the grocery store to use for the week. My favorite dishes so far are homemade beet salad and simple oven roasted beets.

Where I often get lazy in the kitchen (and let’s be honest, we’ve all been there) is trying to find a way to use the greens and stems from my vegetables, especially those darn beet greens.

They contain so much nutrition, not to mention they take up an almost entire shelf in my fridge they are so big and hearty.

Last week when I brought home my bunch o’ beets, I took one look at the greens and just knew I could not possibly let them go to waste. I thought about it for a second, and remembered I have a book called It’s All Good by Gwyneth Paltrow (sent to me from my bestie), which contains a great beet greens soup recipe.

That very evening I made us Gwyneth Paltrow’s yummy beet greens soup, and added a few little twists of my own. The first part of this recipe comes from the book (which is a wonderful book, by the way, if you are looking for a great place to start with your health, and getting creative in the kitchen), and the last part is my own little twist.

You’ll need:

*1 white or yellow onion, chopped

*2 cloves of garlic, minced

*1-2 inches fresh ginger, finely chopped (Gwyneth uses fennel instead, which is also a great choice!)

Add coconut oil, onion, garlic, ginger and beet stems to a large pot and heat on medium, about 10 minutes.

Add the beet greens to the pot, and a pinch or two of salt and some pepper. Stir everything together.

Then add veggie broth and bring to a boil, then turn off the heat. You want the greens to be cooked and wilted but still keep their integrity. Transfer mixture to a high speed blender (like the Vitamix) and puree soup until smooth.

My twist:

Add the garbanzo beans to the blender and pulse at a low speed just a couple times. You want the beans to break apart a bit, but not fully blend. This makes for some great texture!

Transfer soup back into the pot, bring to a low simmer and add the spinach, just until slightly wilted (about a minute or two). You want the spinach to keep its integrity but still be slightly soft. Season with salt and pepper and enjoy!

It has been a slow and steady progression of changing my diet over the years. Almost eight years ago when my health began to dramatically take a turn for the worse and traditional medical treatment wasn’t working, I turned to holistic healing.

At the time, my sugar and processed food intake was extremely high. I wasn’t eating nearly enough fresh fruits and veggies, and when I did consume them it was an apple here, a carrot there. I thought if I had my apple for the day I’d be healthy. (We've all been there.)

Once I slowly started to change my diet and eat more fruits and veggies, the “right” kinds of meat, eggs and dairy, and significantly reduce my processed food and sugar intake, I began to feel a lot better. My digestion improved, my anxiety became less intense, I gained energy and I watched little health issues that had been nagging me for a while start to disappear.

After 7 years of doing pretty much everything I mentioned above with a few “cheats” in between for parties and holidays, I hit a plateau.

I noticed that, no matter how healthy I was eating, I was stuck dealing with some of the same ongoing health issues. Although these issues had improved greatly over time, they never went away fully, and I felt like I was spinning in circles trying to find the answer.

My grilled chicken, salad and sweet potato dinner only got me so far and was not helping me heal anymore. I had to dig deeper.

Again I reached out to my mentor and holistic health practitioner, and asked her what else I could POSSIBLY do to heal from my suffering. In short, at the time I couldn’t get my digestion fully corrected, I was having extreme fatigue and anxiety, and a whole slew of other symptoms. (Click hereto find out more about my most recent health crisis.)

I went to get full bloodwork done to find out I was low in a few essential vitamins and minerals. Upon discussing this with my mentor, a light bulb turned on and it was like I was suddenly awakened to a whole new world.

Although I was doing everything right in order to feel better, I wasn’t doing everything I could to allow my body to properly heal.

Traditionally, the way we do things in our society is this…supplement.

Low Vitamin D? Take a supplement. Low calcium? Take a supplement. Have constipation? Take a supplement. And on it goes.

These are all great things, and much better alternatives than drugs, but no matter how you cut it, this is still the traditional way of thinking that if we are missing a nutrient, we must make it better by ingesting more of it.

This sounds pretty logical actually, when you lay it out like that. However, we are still not addressing the problem when we supplement.

The question is not only what nutrients are we missing? The other half of the equation (which I was missing for so long) is why?

Granted, for some the why might be because they are not ingesting enough of that nutrient. But for someone who eats a healthful diet full of fresh fruits and veggies, there should be plenty of vitamins and minerals present in the food.

So why was I low on some vitamins and minerals? And why was I no longer healing?

My body wasn’t able to assimilate nutrients due to low adrenal and kidney function. That was the problem, bottom line. It wasn’t because I was missing this nutrient or that in my diet.

When we get to the heart of the matter, when we truly begin to heal body tissues and organs, they can function properly and as a result allow proper absorption and assimilation of all the wonderful nutrients coming into our bodies.

And true healing simply cannot occur when we maintain a diet of meat and veggies. We must dig much deeper than that.

We must detoxify with raw fruits, and support and rebuild body tissues with herbs and raw vegetables.

Our kidneys and adrenal glands simply cannot heal when they are overburdened. And guess what overburdens kidneys and adrenal glands? Meat, dairy, other animal products, processed foods, salts and oils.

When I found out this essential information, I made the decision to eat a vegan diet. If I was going to truly heal, I needed to get serious and “cut the crap” so to speak.

So it’s true…I couldn’t heal with traditional medical treatments, and still I could not heal with the traditional natural supplement methods. Because the body can’t heal deeply this way. It’s simply not possible. Supplements are great when they are truly needed. But more often than not we are over-supplementing and not addressing the actual cause of the problem in the first place.

I needed to make some pretty big changes to heal myself. I needed to start eating a vegan diet (mostly fruits, berries and melons, and raw veggies), and I needed to start adding some herbal therapies to my regimen.

I am still healing, still detoxifying, and each day, each week, each month gets a little better than the last. I feel more vibrant, more alive, and more at ease than ever in my life.

I am enjoying this process of true healing at the cellular level, and love helping and teaching others what I am learning.

Currently I am studying the detoxification principles of Dr. Robert Morse, ND, working my way toward detoxification certification. If it weren’t for this protocol, and for my mentor who introduced me to what true healing is all about, I would not be where I am today.

Do you have nagging health issues that you just can’t seem to solve? How long have you been suffering? Do you want to find a solution, the true cause of the problem, and take action?

I talk about the importance of nutrition all the time. It’s my passion, and what I personally begin addressing with my clients when they come to see me for help.

But there are more aspects to our health than just our diet.

We not only have a physical body to care for, but a mental, emotional and spiritual one as well.

More often than not, I get comments from my clients and challengers that go something like this:

I messed up on my diet.

I got off track.

I had a candy bar…I am so mad at myself.

I was on such a good track and then I slipped.

I didn’t do so well this week.

I’m worried I need to start all over after that ice cream cone.

I feel so bad I had that treat.

And the list goes on.

Does this sound familiar to you? Have you ever been on a “diet” or regimen and then had a little “slip” that you beat yourself up or felt guilty about later?

This is not only common, I’d say it happens to the majority of people I work with.

Nutrition is extremely important, no doubt. But taking care of our mental, emotional and spiritual selves is just as important.

We often hear the phrase, “Enjoy the journey.” This is used often, but I find it’s not truly understood.

When we are somewhere in life we do not want to be, we wish we could just fast forward to where we actually do want to be. Let’s talk about weight loss, for instance.

When we want to lose weight, our tendency might be to wish we were 5 or 10 pounds lighter. Instead of taking it one day, one week, one month at a time, the tendency is to look at where we are NOW, and think about how miserable we are. How all we want to do is just be thinner already!

Instead of enjoying the journey, we beat ourselves up enough that we, ultimately, stay miserable for longer.

Enjoying the journey in relation to nutrition means that there will always be “slip-ups.” There will always be obstacles, and we will trip ourselves up more times than we would like.

If you’re feeling like you just “messed up” on your nutrition plan, or “did something bad” because you ate a cookie, you’re missing the whole point of getting from A to Z…you’re missing the journey!

Those so-called “slip-ups” are all part of the learning process. And, if I may be totally honest, they are not slip-ups at all. They are just what is.

You made a choice to have that cookie. And guess what? It’s not wrong. In fact, it’s just right, just as right as Goldilocks and the three bears.

On our health journey it is absolutely crucial to give ourselves the space to learn and grow. I say this all the time to my clients, as well as in my groups, but it is worth repeating…

There’s no such thing as perfection. The nutrition journey is about awareness, and acceptance that it is a process. It’s about enjoying ourselves and celebrating our small daily victories.

The most self-destructive thing we could possibly do regarding our diet, is to beat ourselves up for making a “mistake.”

There is energy around that. We are not nurturing our mental, emotional and spiritual bodies when we talk negatively to ourselves about what we have chosen to eat.

Some advice?

If you’re on a specific regimen recommended to you by a health care professional, expect that you’ll have some of “those days,” and when you do, EMBRACE them!

If you make the choice to eat that cookie, praise the cookie gods, thank the heavens that cookies exist, and enjoy the crap out of it.

Tell yourself how proud you are to be doing so many great things for your health, and notice how this changes your energy completely.

We can eat all the healthy food on the planet, but in the end, if we are criticizing ourselves every time we “slip up” (which, remember, is not actually a slip-up at all), we can never feel true health to the fullest.

So give it a try: Enjoy the journey. Tell yourself how right you’re doing things, and over time, that nasty self-talk will wither away, and ironically, so will the junk food. Pretty soon you’ll find yourself forgetting not only the last time you felt guilt or self-criticism, but also the last time you had one of those deadly tasting cookies!

By now it’s no secret that I quickly and drastically lost weight during a time of major transition in my life. At the time I was eating all the fatty and high calorie foods you could ever imagine. Meat, yogurt and cheese were foods I categorized as healthy at the time, as long as they came from good sources.

Grass fed beef and lamb, organic pastured chicken, wild caught fish, organic full fat yogurt and grass fed cheese were some of my choices, to name a few.

Since I was a young girl, no matter how thin I was, my thighs always rubbed together as I walked…it was just natural for my body. I always had a little meat at the mid-section, and some flab on my upper arms. This was my body naturally, and although I am generally a small person, these were some characteristics that I would describe as “womanly,” and I really liked that about myself. I had some curves, and I wasn’t hatin’ it!

During my most recent health crisis, I began to notice a drastic drop in my weight. My thighs no longer rubbed together. My mid-section started to cave in, the extra “flab” on my arms was no longer there and my ribs and vertebrae were protruding from my body (quite obvious when I wore tight tank tops or a bikini). And the craziest part? I was eating like a horse.

I began adding even more of those high fat, high calorie foods so that I would gain my weight back. I made sure I ate enough calories throughout the day, and drank plenty of water. You may have even seen me eat a good old fashioned dessert now and then, just to pack on more pounds.

Now, some of you may be thinking, Gee, wish I had that problem! But I assure you, this was unhealthy weight loss at its best, and it really did not feel good. I had very low energy and vitality, I felt sluggish most of the time, my skin was breaking out terribly, my hormones were off balance, my digestion and elimination were awful and my stress was at an all-time high. Not cool.

After almost a year and a half of trying to mend myself, I realized I just couldn’t do it alone anymore, and I also realized that what I was doing was certainly not working. So I reached out to my mentor and Holistic Health Practitioner for help. The protocol? Eat 80% or more fresh, raw, and organic fruits and veggies.

I have been doing this consistently since March of this year, and the results have been nothing less than miraculous. My skin has cleared. My digestion is better than ever. My energy and vitality are back. My hormones have balanced out (also with the assistance of some amazing herbs), and strangely enough, my weight is also balancing out.

I never thought I’d be saying thank you for my arm flab, but here I am praising the arm flab gods! I definitely have more meat on me now, and most recently I have been noticing that my pants are starting to fit normally again. I’ll be totally honest, ALL of my pants (yup, even my stretchy leggings) were sagging in the bum…not anymore!

Now, how could this be? What a phenomenon, mostly fruits and veggies, pooping more often (yup, it’s getting real here), having more energy to exercise and therefore burn more calories, eating very low calorie foods (generally), and I’m starting to gain weight? What’s all this nonsense about?

True healing goes deeper than calories in, calories out. True healing at the cellular level (which is what I have been trying to accomplish) means creating an environment in the body where our internal organs can function properly again, where our endocrine system can create the right hormone balance, where our body/brain connection is in alignment. Ultimately, when it all comes together, we can end up at the right weight for OUR body.

When I began to truly detoxify and put an abundance of healing foods into my body, my adrenals started working properly again. My kidneys and liver were able to rest, rejuvenate and filter toxins efficiently. And most importantly, I was able to start absorbing the nutrients my body needed in order to be at a healthy weight.

Although my personal ideal weight is actually heavier than I have been this past year, others’ ideal weight might be much lighter than what they have been. It totally depends on the individual. Either way, detoxifying the body and allowing our organs and systems to work properly creates balance and harmony. Whether we are overweight or underweight, detoxification will allow us to be at our own ideal weight, if we stick to our healing protocol for long enough.

Although I’m not at exactly where I’d like to be yet, I sure am getting closer and that feels good. Healing doesn’t happen overnight or with a magic pill. True healing happens with time, consistency, dedication and patience. It’s a journey to be enjoyed and cherished to the fullest.

From my personal experience, as well as tons of reading, research, and the detoxification course I am taking now, I have concluded that achieving one’s ideal weight long term does not come from packing in the animal protein and dairy. I tried it for over a year, and truthfully it did nothing for me other than cause (too many) undesirable consequences.

I have had numerous people ask me if I am eating enough food. I have actually had people tell me I need to eat a burger (which, by the way, I was doing already!). I have had people express concern with me when I’ve told them I’m eating mostly vegan food. And here I am just months later telling you I feel like a million bucks and I’ve even gained a few pounds. Don’t worry guys, I’m fine J

I can now truly feel what it means to heal, and I do not take this lightly. I am now hyper aware of how good I feel, and I plan to keep it that way.

Join my tribe! I love to share healthy recipes, and join others together in a positive and fun community. Click below to join my private Facebook group where we share healthy plant-based recipes and ideas about healthy living.

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Important Notice: This website should not in any way replace medical care or advisory, and is not intended to be medical advice whatsoever. Andrea McLaughlin of Llovera Holistic, LLC does not diagnose, cure or treat disease in any way, shape or form. By using the information on this website, you are doing so at your own personal risk, and taking full personal responsibility in doing so. Andrea McLaughlin of Llovera Holistic, LLC is not a medical doctor, but is a natural health practitioner. Please consult with your physician before trying anything new or making changes regarding your health.